U.N. aviation emissions pact to let states opt out in first phase: sources 26/8/2016

A new global deal on curbing aviation emissions will likely give states the right to opt out of its initial voluntary phases, according to sources familiar with the matter, in a concession to developing countries like aviation powerhouses China and India. ...more

Coastal land expands as construction outpaces sea level rise 26/8/2016

The Earth has gained coastal land equivalent to the size of Jamaica in the past 30 years with man-made construction outpacing erosion caused by rising sea levels, mapping data showed on Thursday. ...more

Global warming is melting the Greenland Ice Sheet, fast 26/8/2016

A new study measures the loss of ice from one of world’s largest ice sheets. They find an ice loss that has accelerated in the past few years, and their measurements confirm prior estimates. ...more

Rising sea levels could actually help coral reefs survive global warming: Study 26/8/2016

We are currently in the midst of the third and quite possibly worst global coral bleaching event in history, thanks to record high sea temperatures caused by a strong El Niño and climate change. ...more

New map shows alarming growth of the human footprint 25/8/2016

A James Cook University scientist says a new map of the ecological footprint of humankind shows 97 per cent of the most species-rich places on Earth have been seriously altered. ...more

Man-made warming dates back almost 200 years: study 25/8/2016

Man-made greenhouse gases began to nudge up the Earth's temperatures almost 200 years ago as the Industrial Revolution gathered pace, far earlier than previously thought, scientists said on Wednesday. ...more

Mexico to ban gasoline oxygenated with ethanol in three urban centers 25/8/2016

Mexico will ban the sale of gasoline oxygenated with ethanol beginning in late October in three major urban centers as part of a push to combat the worst pollution in over a decade due to high concentrations of ozone in the atmosphere, government officials say. ...more

2020 Tokyo Olympics medals will be made from metals recovered from e-waste 25/8/2016

By reclaiming precious metals from its 'urban mine' of obsolete electronics, Japan may be able to produce the medals for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from recycled materials. ...more

Paris to go completely car-free for an entire day this September 25/8/2016

For one glorious day in September, the streets of Paris will be without traffic jams, car horns, or the smell of exhaust fumes. On “Journée sans voitures,” or Car Free Day, the city hopes to raise awareness of alternative transportation and the mindfulness that can come from experiencing all the city has to offer at a walking pace. ...more

Smaller food portions may reduce waste — Dubai Municipality 24/8/2016

A senior official of Dubai Municipality on Tuesday suggested restaurants could reduce the size of servings to cut food wastage in the UAE. ...more